Local Food is Miles Better

5.13.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 23rd Jun 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has expressed her support for the Farmers Weekly 'Local Food is Miles Better' campaign.

Kirsty Williams AM has signed a Statement of Opinion at the National Assembly on this subject and hopes this campaign will raise awareness amongst the public that purchasing local food is better.

Ms Williams said: "Buying fresh local produce is an excellent way of supporting local producers here in Brecon and Radnorshire, in turn reducing food miles and is good for our economy. It also gives people a greater awareness of where their food comes from."

"I would encourage constituents to sample fresh locally produced food at our farm shops, farmers' markets or even our food festivals."

"I believe supermarkets also have their part to play by stocking local produce and giving our farmers a fairer deal for their quality products."

Notes:

The Statement of Opinion 0055 reads:- This Assembly supports Farmer's Weekly's Local Food is Miles Better campaign and believes that the promotion of local food will improve choice of fresh, nutritious produce for consumers and allow consumers to develop a greater understanding of the food chain; and recognises that buying locally produced food can boost the Welsh rural economy, and benefit the environment by reducing food miles; and calls for supermarkets to promote, stock and label locally produced food.